Hidden Curriculum

Gender messages

• If most positions at top taken by men - five impression males are superior

• Most staff in kitchen are women - pass on message this is women’s work

• Children will be socialised into these ideas - messages shape children’s view on what world is like

Marxist View

• Harmful messages are spread in hidden curriculum - accepting exploitation

• Messages passed on about being obedient - benefits upper class

Functionalist View

• Hidden curriculum is necessary - socialises students

• Allocated people into important roles

• Meritocracy teaches students to work hard

Feminist View

• Girls or boys encouraged to take certain subjects

• Radical recognise how hidden curriculum normalises gender violence

• Heaton and Lawton (1996) - teaches patriarchal values